Eye guard and lash clamp

ABSTRACT

A protective shield has an arcuate edge placed against the eyelid to support eyelashes which are held in place by a clip. Excess cosmetic materials applied to the eyelid and/or lashes are collected within a troughlike formation on the shield spaced from the arcuate edge.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Era Pauline Prewitt [56] References Cited Route #1 Grandview. TEX. 31 2 1970 1,527,964 2/:925 Patino 132/32 [45] Patented July 6' 971 2,268,082 12/1941 Ph|llips,Sr 132/53 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Gregory Er McNeill Attorneys-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [54] EYE GUARD AND LASH CLAMP schims4nnw'ng ABSTRACT: A protective shield has an arcuate edge placed [52] [1.8. CI 132/32 against the eyelid to support eyelashes which are held in place [51] Int. Cl A4Sd 2/48 by a clip. Excess cosmetic materials applied to the eyelid [50] Field of Search 132/323, and/or lashes are collected within a troughlike formation on the shield spaced from the arcuate edge.

PATENTEU JUL 6l97t I 3, 590,828

E ra Pauline Prewi/I INVIJN'J'UK.

EYE GUARD AND LASII CLAMP This invention relates to the eye cosmetic art and more particularly to a device for enhancing the use of eye cosmetics.

While various types of guards are available for use in applying eye makeup, they do not generally provide the desired degree of protection and at the same time facilitate application of cosmetic materials. It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a protective device which will enhance application of eye cosmetics by permitting the eye to relax and at the same time prevent staining of the users clothes with cosmetic materials such as dyes, liners, color shadows, powders, liquids, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, a specially shaped and dimensioned shield having an arcuate edge is placed against a closed eyelid underlying the eyelashes which are supported thereon and clamped thereto by a clip. The shield is provided with a receptacle trough formation to collect cosmetic materials applied to the eyelid or eyelashes. The present invention will therefore be useful in connection with the use of applicators, brushes and other implements through which eye cosmetic materials are applied. When the protective device is applied, the eyelid is maintained closed and in a relaxed condition so as to facilitate application of cosmetics with utmost safety.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the device of the present invention applied to the eyelid of a person.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, one of the protective devices of the present invention generally denoted by reference numeral is shown applied to the upper eyelid 12 which is thereby immobilized in a closed position. The device 10 is suitable for use on the left eye while a similar protective device for the right side is used for the other eye.

The device 10 includes a base shield 14 made of a relatively thin material such as plastic. The base includes an arcuate edge 16 having a curvature conforming to the shape of the eyeball about which the eyelid 12 is closed so that the edge I6 may engage the eyelid in its closed position as illustrated without injury to the eye. The eyelashes 18 will accordingly be supported on top of the base which is appropriately dimensioned and curved to support the eyelashes in suitable condition for applying cosmetics by applicators 20 for example as shown by dotted line in FIG. 2. The base l4 will therefore shield the eye from any cosmetic material applied to the eyelashes as well as cosmetic materials applied to the eyelid itself by applicators 22 for example as also shown by dotted line in FIG. 2.

The base shield 14 is held in position on the eyelid by clamping of the eyelashes thereto adjacent the arcuate edge 16 by means of a clip arrangement generally referred to by reference numeral 24. The clip arrangement includes an elongated strip 26 having a curvature and dimension which conforms to the base 14 adjacent the arcuate edge 16 so as to clamp the eyelashes thereto. The strip 26 extends between the side edges 28 and 30 of the base so as to hold all of the eyelashes in place. A movable tab 32 is secured to the strip 26 adjacent one of the edges 28 of the base and projects laterally therefrom so as to avoid interference with the eyelid. A fixed tab 34 underlies the movable tab 32 and projects from the side edge 28 of the base to which it is secured. The strip 26 and its movable tab 32 are pivotally connected at the juncture between the strlp and the tab to the fixed tab 34 by means of a the strip 26 will be pivotally displaced against the bias of the spring 36 to an open position as shown by dotted line in FIG. 3. Thus, with the strip 26 in an open position, the device 10 may be placed in position against the eyelid below the eyelashes and when released the base will be clamped through the eyelashes to the eyelid. The parts of the device are so dimensioned and the materials are such as to minimize the weight of the device, so as to avoid excessive strain on the eyelid. On the other hand, the weight of the device will hold the eyelid closed and in a relaxed condition so that cosmetics may be more easily and safely applied to the eyelashes and eyelid as aforementioned and even facilitate the use of implements such as eyelid pencils 38 as shown by dotted line in FIG. 2.

The utility of the device 10 is furthermore enhanced by a troughlike formation 40 formed along an edge portion of the base 14 remotely spaced from the arcuate edge 16 so as to form a receptacle within which excess cosmetic materials are collected. In this manner, liquids and powders will not stain the clothing of the user.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is as follows:

1. A protective device adapted to be applied to the eyelid comprising a shield having an arcuate edge conforming to the curvature of the eyelid, receptacle means mounted on the shield in spaced relation to said arcuate edge, and clamp means mounted on the shield adjacent said arcuate edge for engagement with eyelashes.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shield is made of a relatively thin base having side edges extending transver sely from said arcuate edge, said clamp means being pivotally mounted at one of said side edges adjacent the arcuate edge.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the clamp means includes an elongated strip overlying the base adjacent said arcuate edge, a movable tab projecting from the strip laterally of the base, a fixed tab projecting from the base underlying the movable tab, and spring means pivotally connecting the movable tab to the fixed tab in spaced relation thereto yieldably holding the strip in abutment with the base.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said receptacle means includes troughlike formation along an edge portion of the base spaced from the arcuate edge.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the clamp means includes an elongated strip overlying the shield adjacent said arcuate edge, a movable tab projecting from the strip laterally of the shield, a fixed tab projecting from the shield underlying the movable tab, and spring means pivotally connecting the movable tab to the fixed tab in spaced relation thereto yieldably holding the strip in abutment with the shield.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said receptacle means includes troughlike formation along an edge portion of the shield spaced from the arcuate edge.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said receptacle means includes troughlike formation along an edge portion of the shield spaced from the arcuate edge.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said shield is made of a relatively thin base having side edges extending transversely from said arcuate edge, said clamp means being pivotally mounted at one of said side edges adjacent the arcuate edge. 

1. A protective device adapted to be applied to the eyelid comprising a shield having an arcuate edge conforming to the curvature of the eyelid, receptacle means mounted on the shield in spaced relation to said arcuate edge, and clamp means mounted on the shield adjacent said arcuate edge for engagement with eyelashes.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shield is made of a relatively thin base having side edges extending transversely from said arcuate edge, said clamp means being pivotally mounted at one of said side edges adjacent the arcuate edge.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the clamp means includes an elongated strip overlying the base adjacent said arcuate edge, a movable tab projecting from the strip laterally of the base, a fixed tab projecting from the base underlying the movable tab, and spring means pivotally connecting the movable tab to the fixed tab in spaced relation thereto yieldably holding the strip in abutment with the base.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said receptacle means includes troughlike formation along an edge portion of the base spaced from the arcuate edge.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the clamp means includes an elongated strip overlying the shield adjacent said arcuAte edge, a movable tab projecting from the strip laterally of the shield, a fixed tab projecting from the shield underlying the movable tab, and spring means pivotally connecting the movable tab to the fixed tab in spaced relation thereto yieldably holding the strip in abutment with the shield.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said receptacle means includes troughlike formation along an edge portion of the shield spaced from the arcuate edge.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said receptacle means includes troughlike formation along an edge portion of the shield spaced from the arcuate edge.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said shield is made of a relatively thin base having side edges extending transversely from said arcuate edge, said clamp means being pivotally mounted at one of said side edges adjacent the arcuate edge. 